AVUS vs VYM
Avantis US Equity ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, AVUS or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. AVUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 29.7%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | AVUS | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $14.9B | $78.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.94% | 2.37% |
| Holdings | 1,917 | 608 |
| YTD Return | +15.65%Best | +11.83% |
| 1Y Return | +20.98%Best | +15.96% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.87%Best | +18.60% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.65%Best | +11.51% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.6% | 15.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -37.0% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,141Best | $17,241 |
| Top 10 Weight | 29.7% | 25.8%Best |
| Fund Family | Avantis Investors | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Sep 24, 2019 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 26, 2019 to Oct 14, 2026 (7 years).
AVUS vs VYM growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 7 years both funds cover.
AVUS vs VYM Performance
Avantis US Equity ETF (AVUS) is an ETF from Avantis Investors and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year AVUS returned +20.98% while VYM returned +15.96%. Year to date, AVUS is up 15.65% versus a gain of 11.83% for VYM.
Over three years, AVUS compounded at +21.87% per year against +18.60% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +12.65% and +11.51% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, AVUS has the edge at +15.59% annualized vs +11.26%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
AVUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.6% compared with 15.4% for VYM. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -37.0% for AVUS and -35.7% for VYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.92. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AVUS charges 0.15% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $15 vs $4 annually, a gap of $11 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AVUS currently yields 0.94% against 2.37% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
36.7% of AVUS's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 88.4% of VYM's money is in holdings AVUS also owns.
Most of VYM is already inside AVUS. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
413 positions in common, counted across the 1,309 positions we hold weights for in AVUS and 602 in VYM, against full books of 1,917 and 608.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 165 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for AVUS (9.5% of the fund), and 490 for AVUS that do not appear in VYM (57.3%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in AVUS | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.00% | 6.94% | 5.94% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 1.41% | 3.83% | 2.42% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 1.23% | 2.70% | 1.47% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 0.66% | 2.58% | 1.92% |
| CATCaterpillar, Inc. | 0.74% | 1.46% | 0.72% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc Accenture Plc, Class A | 0.35% | 1.83% | 1.48% |
| CVXChevron Corp. | 0.64% | 1.54% | 0.90% |
| BACBank Of America Corp. | 0.51% | 1.65% | 1.14% |
| MRKMerck & Co | 0.63% | 1.47% | 0.84% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 0.22% | 1.76% | 1.54% |
88.4% of VYM is already inside AVUS.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, AVUS or VYM?
AVUS has an expense ratio of 0.15% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $11 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AVUS or VYM?
Over the past year AVUS returned +20.98% vs +15.96% for VYM, so AVUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), AVUS annualized +15.59% vs +11.26% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AVUS or VYM?
AVUS has been the more volatile fund at 17.6% annualized versus 15.4% for VYM. Worst drawdown: AVUS -37.0% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both AVUS and VYM?
AVUS and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.92, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between AVUS and VYM?
88.4% of VYM's money is in holdings AVUS also owns. 88.4% of VYM's is in holdings AVUS also owns. They hold 413 positions in common, counted across the 1,309 positions we hold weights for in AVUS and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, AVUS or VYM?
AVUS yields 0.94% while VYM yields 2.37%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than AVUS?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. AVUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 29.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.